The Moluccas: From top to bottom

10th September – 4th October 2017

Leader: Carlos Bocos

Participants: Steve James, Peter and Maggie Waterman, Tony and Celia Sawbridge, Rob Leighton and Jürgen Lenhert

Black-lored Parrot, Buru © Tony Sawbridge

Our last Moluccas tour was probably the most successful one ever ran in the region. The comprehensive itinerary perfectly designed to cover all the islands of this poorly-known region of Indonesia proved to be fantastic. We started in the north, with both Morotai Friarbird and White-eye performing well plus a fine selection of North Moluccas specialities. Our brief visit to Bacan was also excellent where White-eye and Spangled Drongo showed superbly along with Moluccan Drongo Cuckoo, Umbrella Cockatoo and few others. Obi was harder work due the habitat loss but we bagged the very sough-after Moluccan Woodcock along with Carunculated Fruit Dove, both lories, the yet to be described myzomela and the rest of Obi endemics. Once in the central part of the region, we found in pissing rain the endangered Boano Monarch, followed by a superb set of Seram endemics, with all bagged except the near mythical Seram Thrush. Remarkable birds there were the Salmon-crested Cockatoo, the Lories trio including a mega sight of Blue-eared Lory, Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, both heleias, Seram Grasshopper Warbler and many others. Buru treated us with terrible weather but persistence paid off as again, we bagged all the endemics bar the incredible rare lorikeet, including Black-lored Parrot, Madanga Pipit, Buru Honeyeater, Buru Boobook, Buru Green Pigeon, Buru Monarch, Buru Thrush and Buru Grasshopper Warbler. A short stopover in Ambon was enough to have first class views of the only endemic, the Ambon White-eye. Our time in the Kai islands was also great, with a short but fruiting visit to Kai Besar delivering the endemic Leaf-warbler, Kai Besar White-eye, Kai Monarch and Kai Kecil delivered the

Island Whistler, Kai Coucal, Kai Kecil White-eye, Supertramp Fantail and many more. The last leg of the trip was the wonderful Tanimbar, which again delivered all its endemics and specialities, with brilliant views of both thrushes, Tanimbar Bush-warbler, Australian Masked Owl, Tanimbar Bobook, Pied Bronze Cuckoo and Elegant Pitta, to name a few. The tour began in Ternate, the main city of North Moluccas. After some very last minute flight changes and delays that of course didn’t surprise our group of very experienced global birders, we headed to our first destination, the island of Morotai. Once there, we went straight to the forest, where after a short drive along a bumpy old logging road, we reached nice forest. We quickly ensured one of the main targets and currently the only recognised – Morotai Friarbird – and after some search, we also had prolonged views of the very distinctive morotaensis race of Cream-bellied White-eye, split as Morotai White-eye in the new Field Guide. The afternoon was slow but good enough, catching up with more common North Moluccan birds like Grey-headed Fruit Dove, Rufous-bellied Triller, high numbers of Moluccan Imperial Pigeon and several Varied Goshawk of the very distinctive griseogularis subspecies.

Morotai White-eye and Common Paradise-kingfisher, Morotai © Tony Sawbridge

Our first full day of the tour started along a different logging road and was a short but bird-filled morning. In a small gully we quickly had point-blank views of the very desirable endemic doris subspecies of Common Paradise-kingfisher, with two birds in display, one of them with a super, full grown tail, showing superbly and allowing a long photo fest of this vocally different endemic race. Right after that, a distinctive call indicated that our next target was pretty close. And indeed it was! A gorgeous “Morotai Spangled Drongo”, another proposed split and in fact, the first of seven potential drongo splits during the tour, was perched in a nearby dead tree, allowing prolonged scope views. A good flock came close, with a good number of Halmahera Golden Bulbuls, more Rufous-bellied Trillers, Morotai White-eyes and a single Dusky Myzomela giving unusually good views. Halmahera Paradise-crows were shy as usual but one juvenile bird finally gave a long and good view. A couple of Blue-and-white Kingfishers were perched high in a dead tree along with a diminutive Blue-capped Fruit Dove which was too brief as it was quickly mobbed by the bigger Grey-headed Fruit Dove. With the targets under the belt we started the way down and we arrived to the cars just in time to avoid getting soaked by the first rain of the tour. After a shower, we took another plane, back to Ternate, where we took the ferry to one of the most exciting places of the tour, the little-known island of Obi. We had an extremely brief stopover (less than an hour!) on the island of Bacan, where we did well enough to have some excellent views of another interesting Zosterops, formerly included inside the Cream-throated White-eye complex but clearly different in both plumage and vocalizations “Bacan White-eye”. After this we continued our maritime journey through the Molucca Sea where we picked up some seabirds. Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel was without doubt the star but Bulwer’s Petrel and Wilson’s Storm Petrel were good as well. Marine mammals were also on display, with some great pods of Spinner and Bottle-nosed Dolphins as well as a couple of groups of Short-finned Pilot Whales. We arrived to Obi in the heat of the day so after a great lunch we had our first bird contact with the island. Birding was slow, as expected in the heat of the afternoon, but enough to pick up some goodies. Sultan’s Cuckoo Dove was common thoughout meanwhile a Moluccan Brush Cuckoo called nearby but never showed up…it’s time would come. A couple of “Obi Spangled Drongo” gave a close performance just before we headed to our stakeout for one of the most awaited birds of the trip, Moluccan Woodcock. Waiting for this poorly known species, a raucous call indicated that a couple of Moluccan Scops Owl were in the vicinity. Suddenly we picked up the roding call of the woodcock and after few seconds, we had the bird flying right over us. The bird gave another fly-by in the spotlight just before it disappeared. Finished with our woodcock business, we looked for the Moluccan Scops Owl and after a couple of minutes, we had the bird perched right in front giving a perfect eye-level view. The first full day in Obi started at the woodcock spot followed by Radjah Shelduck and Spotted Whistling Duck both in flight and after that, we gained altitude following an old logging road. A couple of good flocks were fun, with both Wallacean and Moluccan Monarchs, Obi Golden Bulbul, Obi Fantail and the smart Obi Whistler. A bit further away

we located the other main target of the island, the localised and highly sought-after Carunculated Fruit Dove. Eight birds together showed extremely nice in the scope, especially as this bird can be tricky at times if there are no fruiting trees around. The logging road was extremely damaged so the access to our usual spots was impossible. On a different trail a very well behaved Sahul (Red-bellied) Pitta and a couple of Kamchatka Leaf Warblers were new. We visited a different road in our second morning. Moluccan Woodcocks were calling over the cars on the way to the forest and after confirming the permits, we found ourselves in a beautiful valley. First thing to appear was a flock of Umbrella Cockatoos, not native birds to the island, so presumably part of a release program following the confiscation of trapped birds. Obi Paradise-crows were extremely common and tame, a sign that there is little hunting in the valley, meanwhile another couple of beautiful Carunculated Fruit Doves gave excellent scope views. Once we reached the right altitude, the birding was excellent. The “Obi White-eye”, an undescribed endemic, performed well after some effort and the undescribed form of myzomela was pleasantly common, currently subsumed under Sulawesi, but with Bacan Myzomela in the new Field Guide, it just shows how little is known about the birds on Obi, despite this being our fourth tour. Much to our surprise, we found both Lories pretty common, with noisy couples of the golden-mantled flavopalliatus subspecies of Chattering Lory flying around and a number of the smaller Scaled Lories feeding in flowering trees. Again we had excellent views of Dusky Myzomela, another endemic taxon, before heading down the valley for lunch. During the afternoon we had a torrential downpour that slowed things so we had nothing new to add in our list but another excellent sighting of Rothschild’s Cuscus was the main highlight, feeding close to another pair of Carunculated Fruit Doves. At night we tried again the woodcock in another valley, with two birds roding close to our position.

Obi Spangled Drongo and Umbrella Cockatoo © Tony Sawbridge

We spent the last morning in Obi in a tiny swamp where again we had yet another woodcock in the spotlight. A Red-necked Crake came close but never showed up. Finally, we heard the voice of the last target, the distinctive obiensis form of the Common Paradise-kingfisher, which within a couple of minutes was performing perfectly at eye-level. On the way back to the cars we had another Red-necked Crake crossing the trail which was sadly too brief, only seen by a few of us. After saying good-bye in our lovely homestay we headed to the harbour, ready to take the ferry back to Ternate. On the way back we had another stopover in Bacan which was much more productive, as we had a bit longer than 10 minutes this time! Near the place where we parked the cars, a “Bacan White-eye” was singing its heart out and a bit further, some nice flowering trees hosted Wallacean Cicadabird, Red-flanked Lorikeets, Halmahera Paradise-crows, Halmahera Golden Bulbuls and a lone but magnificent Umbrella Cockatoo. A distinctive but uninspiring call indicated us that a Moluccan Drongo Cuckoo nearby and after a quick burst of playback, we had the bird performing at close range for more than 20 minutes. At the very last minute, our last target appeared, the local Bacan Spangled Drongo, which is actually another undescribed taxon, showing its deep tail fork and stronger bill than the birds we just saw in Obi. This form is pretty scarce and unobtrusive so we all were really happy with the find. After a tasty dinner, we continued sailing to Ternate, where we arrived at dawn. We were all happy to have a room to take a long rest before continuing our journey to Ambon, in the central part of the Moluccas. Once there, a pretty long drive took us to harbour, where we took another ferry, this time to the western part of Seram. Finally, we arrived at our comfortable hotel for a good but short night sleep. Next morning, we headed to one of the most exciting places of the tour, Boano. A drive through a bumpy road took us to a small village, where we quickly took the speedboats during a downpour. Things got even wetter once we were in the middle of the journey and a torrential downpour soaked us completely. A couple of Bulwer’s Petrels passed between the boats giving amazing views and some Bridled Terns were also nice. Once on Boano, a sleepery trail lead us to the right place, a tiny forest patch, where with a lot of effort all we got views of the endangered Boano Monarch, which was rediscovered by us in 2011. Along with them, a few Seram Fantails (split from Northern) and Moluccan Monarchs completed the show and almost at the same time we finished the birding, the rain stopped.

The logistics in this part of Indonesia are particularly tricky but with remarkable efficiency, we had a delicious lunch and then a long but shorter than expected drive to our next destination, Manusela National Park, in the northern part of Seram. The long drive was broken by a beautiful female of Lazuli Kingfisher, which gave good views and nice chances for photography. Manusela still hosts amazing, well conserved forest across the Binaia range and here a great day followed, after an enjoyable breakfast at the higher part of the trans-Seram highway we picked up several common endemics like Drab Myzomela, Seram Myzomela and Seram Leaf Warbler. We got luck as the trees along the pass were flowering and a couple of wonderful Seram Honeyeaters performed well. A bit further away, another flowering tree gave us the bird of the day, the amazing Blue-eared Lory. At least 15 of these rarely-seen birds were feeding there and we enjoyed prolonged scope views. Before the birding started to slow down in the heat of the morning we had a very well behaved Moluccan Brush Cuckoo before leaving the mountain for lunch. Right after that, the rain began and we had a wet but great afternoon birding. First, we scoped our first Seram Crows and several gangs of Red Lories. On the way to the lowlands, we had excellent views of a couple of the nowadays-very-rare Purple-naped Lory, picked-up while driving along, as they were perched over the road, which for more than 20 minutes delighted us in the incessant rain. We still found some time to pick up a couple of groups of Moluccan King Parrots feeding on bananas before the rain got worse and ruined any chance of the night-birding.

Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher and Salmon-crested Cockatoo © Tony Sawbridge

At dawn, we got excellent views of Seram Boobook perched at eye-level, much to the delight of the photographers. Then we spent most of the morning looking for the scarce Seram Grasshopper Warbler, in vain. An Oriental Hobby was hunting dragonflies very close to our position meanwhile Grey-hooded Heleia (or Binaia Heleia) decided not to behave properly, only giving distant views in the mist. Further away, a grasshopper-warbler was calling uphill and some of us trekked till we reached a seemingly good spot to try, but with no reward! During that time, Peter and Maggie who had remained on the road, got excellent views of another main target, the Bicolored Heleia, the only sighting of the tour and despite a lot of effort, we were not able to relocate the birds again. Grilling the flock where the heleia was, we got a number of species and including Seram Golden Bulbul, Seram Spangled Drongo and Seram Flowerpecker. Another couple of Purple-naped Lories appeared in full view and a Varied Goshawk was also in scene, probably attracted by the number of birds. We headed down at midday to have a quick lunch, only stopping to watch a beautiful Seram Mountain Pigeon perched roadside, just before taking speedboats out in the search of two very sough-after species: Olive Honeyeater and Forsten’s Scrubfowl. We found the honeyeater quickly, feeding actively on a tiny islet. At least four birds were present on this tiny island, which is one of the few known places where this species occurs. After that we visited another island but despite a lot of effort, we didn’t find any scrubfowl. We spent the last hour of the day in the Seram lowlands. Another Lazuli Kingfisher was appreciated and we quickly added Seram Imperial Pigeon and the impressive Salmon-crested Cockatoo to our haul. Another early start gave us superb views of a couple of Moluccan Scops Owl, including a rufous morph individual, much rarer than they grey morph. A couple of Common Paradise-kingfishers were very vocal at the same spot but we saw them just in silhouette as it was still quite dark. With very few birds remaining on our list, we started in the high pass hoping for the Grey-hooded Heleia which sadly never showed up again. A Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk frustrated us calling close but we struck gold when we discovered another individual, flying right over us and calling in full display, possibly the first time this has been recorded. Some White-bibbed Fruit Doves where pretty showy that morning and right before lunch most of us ventured into the forest, basically off-trail trying to gain altitude. The strategy worked out as a compact group of Grey-hooded Heleias showed well, creeping along mossy branches like nuthatches. Better views of Seram Golden Bulbul and Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher was new. The last hour of the afternoon we again enjoyed the splendid Salmon-crested Cockatoo and a Claret-breasted Fruit Dove displaying right around us was a good finish.

The last morning in Seram was under pressure as we still had two birds to go, the heleia and the grasshopper-warbler. Much to our surprise a Red-bellied Pitta was calling in the vicinity, but then Jürgen and Rob located a singing Seram Grasshopper-warbler. The show then started and after a long wait, four of us got views of this skulking and rarely seen Seram endemic. After a tasty Sumatran style lunch in Masohi, we took the ferry back to Ambon. Almost all the way was in the rain but we still managed to pick up some Wilson’s Storm-petrel and high numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes. With less than one hour of light, some of the group headed a nearby forest where after ten minutes, we had our target: Ambon White-eye. At least three birds showed well and Seram Spangled Drongo and Seram Flowerpecker supported the cast. After dinner in Ambon we took a night-ferry to Buru, an island infamous for hosting a number of political prisioners and gold but home of some of the most amazing birds of the whole tour. We arrived in time to have some easy and relaxed morning birding along the main birding location, the Wamlana logging road. Some nice flocks included Buru Golden Bulbul, Buru Friarbiad and Pale Cicadabird while fruiting trees hosted good numbers of White-bibbed and Superb Fruit Doves and Amboyna Cuckoo Dove. The afternoon was pretty slow, with frequent rain showers but we still managed to get fine views of one of the main targets of the Buru lowlands, the Buru Monarch. Island and Moluccan Monarchs were also found in tandem and after that, the rain made us finish earlier than expected. The second morning was also pretty wet but as soon as it stopped, we began birding in the higher section of the old logging road. Activity was not really high due the rain and the mist but we quickly ensured good views of one of the finest Zoothera of Indonesia, the Buru Thrush. Flocks again proved fun with Tawny-backed Fantail, Moluccan and Drab Whistlers, large groups of both Buru and Mountain White-eye, Pale Cicadabird, Buru Leaf-warbler and Buru Flowerpecker. A Variable Dwarf Kingfisher (or Buru Dwarf Kingfisher in some taxonomies) performed well, circling us for a while before finally stopping in full view. The afternoon was in the middle section of the logging road where after some effort we got excellent views of Buru Cuckooshrike, one of the hardest endemics here. Buru Racquet-tail and Moluccan King Parrot where common there and a fine Buru Mountain Pigeon gave good views in the scope. The incredibly rare Black-lored Parrot, rediscovered by James in 2012, called a few times but we were unable to locate any bird, much too our frustration. First nightbirding delivered great views of Moluccan Scops Owl and Buru Boobook, this one unfortunately too brief for the whole group. All night long the rain poured and it continued till mid-afternoon but we didn’t give up. In such rough conditions, we drove again the logging road, seriously damaged after that rain. Eventually we reached the higher part of the road and in heavy rain, while Carlos went out of the car to check out the rain, randomly bumped in to Black-lored Parrot. At least four of these amazing birds were feeding quietly only 40 meters away from our position, much to our delight. Documenting their quiet feeding and lazing around, and presumably more conspicuous due the rain and the mist as they are thought to be primarily nocturnal feeders. Shortly after this, and just as important was finding the often difficult Buru Honeyeater. The bird was easily located by voice as it was calling loudly from a flowering tree and surprisingly, it didn’t look as wet as the parrots! Such an amazing morning regarding the conditions. Another wet afternoon in coastal lowlands started slow, scanning fruiting trees with loads of Claret-breasted Fruit Doves and scattered Red-cheecked and Great-billed Parrots but not a sniff of our treron target. When we were starting to enjoy another monarch multi-species flock, we discovered two Buru Green Pigeons in the top of a huge fruiting tree. The scope views were excellent and eventually, two more birds joined the duo for a fitting finale to an unforgettable day.

Kai Besar White-eye and Buru Green Pigeon © Tony Sawbridge

The bizarre Madanga Pipit is one of the biggest jewels in the whole archipelago. Formerly thought to be nestled in the white-eye family, genetic evidence has firmly placed it in the pipits. Very few people have seen this bird and finally was the moment to trek to its realm. The walk was steep but easier than expected. Buru Grasshopper Warblers and Buru Thrushes were calling nearby but we just carried on, looking forward to find the truly target of the day. We heard the raucous call of the Black-lored Parrot again, calling loudly from a nearby tree. We taped them in but we only had obscured views of the birds flying in the canopy in the dense, mossy forest. Eventually we reached the

highest point and some nice flocks with similar species than the ones to the highest section of the road but no Madanga. After brief sights with no joy for any participant, Carlos suddenly located the Madanga again and this time really close to our position. With some perfect manoeuvres we all had the bird in full view at close distance, creeping along tree trunks and gleaning small moss,both plumage and jizz belied the notion of it actually being a pipit, but the science and certain cryptic feature are unequivocal (nostril slit, feet and it being genetically sister to the nearest montane pipit, Alpine Pipit of New Guinea all adds weight to this fact). This amazing sight made us more than happy but the feast didn’t stop. On the way down we heard another Buru Bush-warbler and within a minute, we got the bird calling right in front us and eventually, feeding quietly showing its amazing mouse-like behaviour. Arriving to the cars, a Forsten’s Scrubfowl pair suddenly appeared along the trail giving good views. We spent the rest of the day in a much more relaxed way, birding the middle section of the road where eventually we tracked down another target, the White-naped Monarch. It was not a new bird for us but the race buruensis is pretty distinctive so was great have this gorgeous monarch just few meters away, singing and calling at eye-level. The last morning in Buru started early as usual. We got another bunch of Moluccan Scops Owl and much better views of Buru Boobook, with two birds sitting quietly in the branches of a big Casuarina tree. Only one target for that morning, the Buru form of the Red-bellied Pitta. This time was pretty hard work but eventually the bird gave fairly good views for most of us, even when this year birds were shier than expected. Afternoon on the road heading back to Namlea to take the night ferry back to Ambon, with just a brief stop on the way at a lake to pick up a number of Little Grebes, Australasian Darter, both Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants and a few commoner species. To finish with all endemics, bar one on Buru was stunning, and our best visit yet to the island.

Wallace’s Fruit Dove and Australasian Masked Owl © Tony Sawbridge

The night ferry returned us to Ambon and after a tasty breakfast, we enjoyed the Ambon White-eye again along with other common species. Then, it was time to fly to the south Moluccas, starting with the Kai islands. A change in the flight Schedule (not unusual in Indonesia!) meant no time for birding in the afternoon. When we arrived to Kei Kecil it was almost dark but a number of Australian Pratincoles and Pied Herons feeding in short grass were appreciated. Next morning we took a speedboat at dawn to Kai Besar. A small group of Tree Martins were perched at the harbour and as soon we arrived to our birding spot, a nice flock of Kai Besar White-eyes welcomed us with great views. Some skittish Kai Monarchs showed and with a short trek, we quickly reached the right altitude to find our last Kai Besar endemic, the local race of Island leaf-warbler, split as Kai Leaf-warbler in the new Field Guide, which was much showier than expected. On the way down a smart party of Yellow-capped Pygmy-parrots came really close and during the snack time, Varied Triller, Elegant Imperial Pigeon and the local form of Amboyna Cuckoo Dove showed nicely. The afternoon proved a doddle, with the coastal forest patch proving to be excellent. Four Island Whistlers performed perfectly along with the commoner Island Monarchs, more Kai Monarchs, Kai Fantail (part of the northern split), and a single Grey Whistler and some Kai Kecil White-eyes, these ones too brief unfortunately. A huge fruiting tree hosted a big number of Pied Imperial Pigeons with smaller numbers of Elegant Imperial Pigeons, several White-bibbed Fruit Doves and a single Wallace’s Fruit Dove. On the way to another forest patch we had several Australian Figbirds plus good numbers of Black-faced Cuckooshrikes and a single Wallacean Cuckooshrike. Two Australian Grebes were a nice addition on a nearby pool, especially for the Indonesian list and we flushed a Black Bittern from our feet. We obtained brilliant views of the usually tricky Kai Cicadabird, more Kai Kecil White-eyes which behaved well this time, and the only Rose-crowned Fruit Dove of the trip. Kai Coucals were vocal there but they never showed up. Not a big deal as the next day we had several of these skulkers performing much better than expected, calling loudly from treetops and giving excellent chances to the photographers of the group. The local race of Red-bellied Pitta was calling nearby and more and more white-eyes accompanied us all the way to the

hotel. After this we flew back to Ambon, to enjoy the last dinner of the main tour and have a toast to celebrate the success! For most of the group, the journey continued as three full days on Tanimbar as a perfect finale. We arrived to Yamdena in the heat of the day and a number of Pied Herons and Australian Pratincoles welcomed us at the airport. Once installed in a superb Villa in the Saumlaki outskirts, we could not wait to go to the forest. The afternoon was truly a bird-fest, with several highlights including a very well behaved Pied Bronze Cuckoo, surprisingly lumped with the Little Bronze Cuckoo in some lists, huge numbers of Wallace’s and Rose-crowned Fruit Doves, nice groups of Tanimbar Cockatoos and good numbers of Blue-streaked Lories. A Forest Kingfisher was a nice bonus as this rare vagrant from Australia is rarely recorded in Tanimbar. A Tanimbar Boobook was seen by some and we ended the afternoon with nice roadside birding which included quite a number of regional specialities like Banda Sea Gerygone, Banda Myzomela, noisy groups of Tanimbar Friarbird and several Tanimbar Starlings. The night-birding was surprisingly quiet despite some effort. Next morning we had a lovely breakfast in the right spot to see one of the trickiest birds of the island: Fawn-breasted Thrush. After some searching we located a couple of birds feeding in the vicinity of a stream and our strategy worked out perfectly, with excellent views at close range of one bird feeding quietly and eventually, calling its mate. After this beautiful early morning we went into the forest where we quickly ensured both Tanimbar (Or Loetoe - an erroneous name, a misspelling of a nearby island) and Banda Sea (Or Black-bibbed) Monarchs, excellent Charming (a.k.a. Long-tailed) Fantails, and of course the another Tanimbar cracker, Slaty-backed Thrush. Several birds showed perfectly in the lower canopy, as usual, allowing some nice photographic opportunities. Both Elegant Pittas and Tanimbar Scrubfowls were pretty vocal but they never gave any chance so we decided go back at late afternoon. It was hard and sweaty work and all our efforts were regarded with poor views of the pitta but we add new birds to our list like Tanimbar Flycatcher which in some list still under the Rufous-chested Flycatcher. At night several Tanimbar Boobooks performed nicely in the spotlight. The next morning brought another poor pitta show but several Fawn-breasted Thrush at close range were appreciated feeding along a dry streambed. A few parties of Radjah Shelduck were also good, showing at close range and in the heat of the morning, two wonderful male Tanimbar Flycatcher came to drink in a small pond right in front of us. Along the way back a Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher was too brief but in the afternoon, this species behaved well, giving great views in lower canopy. Pittas and scrubfowls again didn’t perform well despite all our efforts but at night, we were thrilled with a wonderful show of one of the most wanted birds of the extension, the Moluccan (or Australasian) Masked Owl. After a couple of hours of searching, we found a bird calling close by, perched in a roadside tree and giving excellent prolonged views. Last full day of the tour brought us to a different forest trail where both Elegant Pitta and Tanimbar Scrubfowl were vocal but didn’t show up. In compensation, we had the best parrot action of the extension, with loads of Tanimbar Cockatoos showing nicely in the early morning sunlight and a number of Blue-streaked Lories giving close fly-bys. Both Elegant and Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons were perched in the same tree, for great educational views, meanwhile small gangs of Wallacean Cuckooshrikes, Tanimbar Starlings and Metallic Starlings were flying all around. After this we took a speedboat to a small island off to Yamdena were we have previously seen scrubfowls but despite a lot of effort, we had no joy with this skittish megapode. Feeling the pressure, we headed another different forest patch at the afternoon where this time we had all the luck of the world. After some effort, we all managed excellent and very prolonged views of one gorgeous male of Elegant Pitta, here of the subspecies vigorsi, quite distinctive in both plumage and vocalizations (is it time this complex was carved-up?). The next BANG of the afternoon came in form of Tanimbar Scrubfowl, with an excellent view of one bird calling on a very wide trail at close distance. With this success, we went left the forest where after some effort we located our last target, the rather nomadic and unpredictable Tricoloured Parrotfinch. Three birds showed perfectly, first feeding in an abandoned field and after that, perched in a small tree allowing excellent scope studies, which wrapped up our 100% clean-up on Tanimbar. The remaining hours of the next morning were in a small wetland, where with all the targets under the belt we enjoyed several interesting waterbirds like a nice flock of Little Curlew mixed with Oriental Plovers and several Green Pygmy-goose. What a finale! Thus ending the tour with all possible endemics bar two (Buru Lorikeet and Seram Thrush), surely a record that will be tough to follow.

Bird-of-the-tour

1) Buru Thrush

2) White-naped Monarch

3) Madanga Pipit

4) Lazuli Kingfisher

5) Carunculated Fruit Dove

For further information on our tours to the Moluccas please contact us via our e-mail or click here for our scheduled departure tours.

Buru Golden Bulbul and Drab Whistler © Tony Sawbridge

Streak-breasted Fantail and Ambon White-eye © Tony Sawbridge

Buru Flowerpecker and White- naped Monarch © Tony Sawbridge

Buru Flowerpecker and Seram Flowerpecker © Tony Sawbridge

Red-cheeked Parrot and Black- lored Parrot © Tony Sawbridge

Moluccan Scops Owl and Moluccan King Parrot © Tony Sawbridge

Little Grebe and Australian Darter © Tony Sawbridge

Salvadori’s Flowerpecker and Pied Bronze Cuckoo © Tony Sawbridge

Tawny Grassbird and Forest Kingfisher © Tony Sawbridge

Rose-crowned Fruit Dove and White-bibbed Fruit Dove © Tony Sawbridge

Kai Spangled Drongo and Kai Coucal © Tony Sawbridge

Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrots and Elegant Imperial Pigeon © Tony Sawbridge

Radjah Shelduck and Broad-billed Monarch, Tanimbar © Tony Sawbridge

Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher and Tanimbar Cockatoo © Tony Sawbridge

Systematic List

ANATIDAE: Ducks, Swans and Geese Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Spotted Whistling Duck Dendrocygna guttata Rajah Shelduck Tadorna radjah Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus MEGAPODIDAE: Megapodes Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt heard only Forsten's Scrubfowl Megapodius [reinwardt] forsteni M Tanimbar Scrubfowl Megapodius tenimberensis M Dusky Scrubfowl Megapodius freycinet quoyii PODICIPEDIDAE: Grebes Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis tricolor Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

COLUMBIDAE: Pigeons and Doves Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis tigrina Sultan's Cuckoo Dove Macropygia doreya albiceps Amboina Cuckoo Dove Macropygia amboinensis amboinensis Tanimbar Cuckoo Dove Macropygia timorlaoensis M Great Cuckoo Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardtii Barred Dove Geopelia maugei Buru Green Pigeon Treron [pompadora] aromaticus M Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica indica Pacific Emerald Dove Chalcophaps longirostris timorensis Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus bernsteinii micrus heard only Wallace's Fruit Dove Ptilinopus wallacii Superb Fruit Dove Ptilinopus superbus superbus Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus regina xanthogaster Blue-capped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus monacha M White-bibbed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus rivoli Carunculated Fruit Dove Ptilinopus granulifrons M Grey-headed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus hyogastrus M Black-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus melanospila chrysorrhoa Claret-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus viridis Moluccan Imperial Pigeon Ducula perspicillata Seram Imperial Pigeon Ducula neglecta M Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon Ducula basilica obiensis M heard only Elegant Imperial Pigeon Ducula concinna Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor bicolor Buru Mountain Pigeon Gymnophaps mada M Seram Mountain Pigeon Gymnophaps stalkeri M CUCULIDAE: Cuckoos and Allies Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris musschenbroeki Australian Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus variolosus Cacomantis variolosus whitei Moluccan Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis aeruginosus aeruginosus M Pied Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx crassirostris crassirostris Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus poecilurus heard only Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae Asian Koel Eudynamys orientalis orientalis Pacific Koel Eudynamys cyanocephalus picatus Kai Coucal Centropus spilopterus M Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis medius Goliath Coucal Centropus goliath heard only HEMIPROCNIDAE: Treeswifts Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea confirmata APODIDAE: Swifts and Swiftlets House Swift Apus nipalensis Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta esculenta Collocalia esculenta spilura Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis moluccarum Aerodramus vanikorensis waigeuensis Seram Swiftlet Aerodramus ceramensis M Halmahera Swiftlet Aerodramus infuscatus M CAPRIMULGIDAE: Nightjars Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus schlegelii RALLIDAE: Rails Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis philippensis Red-necked Crake Rallina tricolor Rufous-tailed Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccanus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae Pied Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus BURHINIDAE: Thick-knees Beach Thick-knee Esacus neglectus CHARADRIIDAE: Lapwings and Plovers Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Oriental Plover Anarhynchus veredus SCOLOPACIDAE: Sandpipers, Snipes and Allies Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Moluccan Woodcock Scolopax rochussenii M Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa melanuroides Little Curlew Numenius minutus Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus variegatus heard only GLAREOLIDAE: Pratincoles Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella LARINAE: Gulls and Terns Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii cristata Little Tern Sternula albifrons sinensis Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus anaethetus Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Common Tern Sterna hirundo longipennis Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus SULIFORMES: Sulidae Brown Booby Sula leucogaster plotus PROCELLARIIDAE: Petrels and Shearwaters Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacificus Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii OCEANITIDAE: Southern Ocean Storm-Petrels Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus HYDROBATIDAE: Northern Ocean Storm-Petrels Swinhoe's Storm-petrel Hydrobates monorhis FRIGATIDAE: Frigatebirds Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel PHALACROCORACIDAE: Cormorants and Darters Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Australian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae THRESKIORNITHIDAE: Ibises and Spoonbills Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus ARDEIDAE: Herons Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis flavicollis Striated Heron Butorides striatus moluccarum Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Pied Heron Egretta picata Little Egret Egretta garzetta Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus PANDIONIDAE: Ospreys Osprey Pandion haliaetus cristatus ACCIPITRIDAE: Hawks, Eagles and Allies Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata stresemanni Aviceda subcristata pallida Aviceda subcristata rufa Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis malayensis White-bellied Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Varied Goshawk Tachyspiza hiogastra pallidiceps Tachyspiza hiogaster polionota Tachyspiza hiogastra hiogastra Tachyspiza hiogastra albiventris Tachyspiza hiogastra griseogularis Tachyspiza hiogastra obiensis heard only Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza erythrauchen ceramensis M STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae Australasian Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae sororcula STRIGIDAE: Typical Owls Moluccan Scops Owl Otus magicus magicus Otus magicus bouruensis Otus magicus obira Tanimbar Boobook Ninox forbesi M Seram Boobook Ninox [squamipila] squamipila M Buru Boobook Ninox [squamipila] hantu M BUCEROTIDAE: Hornbills Blyth's Hornbill Rhyticeros plicatus HALCYONIDAE: Wood Kingfishers Common Paradise Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea acis Tanysiptera galatea obiensis Tanysiptera galatea doris Blue-and-white Kingfisher Todiramphus diops M Lazuli Kingfisher Todiramphus lazuli M Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris chloris Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Todiramphus australasia odites Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii Variable Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx lepidus cajeli Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis hispidoides Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus ruficollaris CORACIIDAE: Rollers Common Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis orientalis MEROPIDAE: Bee-eaters

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus FALCONIDAE: Falcons and Allies Indonesian Kestrel Falco moluccensis moluccensis Oriental Hobby Falco severus Australian Hobby Falco longipennis hanieli Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti PSITTACIFORMES: Cockatoos Tanimbar Cockatoo Cacatua goffiniana M Salmon-crested Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis M Umbrella Cockatoo Cacatua alba M PSITTACIDAE: Parrots and Lories Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta keiensis Scaled Lory Eos squamata obiensis Violet-necked Lory Eos riciniata M Red Lory Eos bornea cyanonothus M Eos bornea bornea Blue-eared Lory Eos semilarvata M Blue-streaked Lory Eos reticulata M Coconut Lorikeet Trichoglossus h. haematodus Trichoglossus haematodus nigrogularis Chattering Lory Lorius garrulus flavopalliatus M Lorius garrulus morotaianus M Purple-naped Lory Lorius domicella M Red-flanked Lorikeet Charmosyna placentis placentis Charmosyna placentis intensior Eclectus Parrot Elclectus roratus roratus Elclectus roratus polychloros Elclectus roratus vosmaeri Eclectus roratus riedeli Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi rhodops Geoffroyus geoffroyi keyensis Geoffroyus geoffroyi obiensis Geoffroyus geoffroyi cyanicollis Geoffroyus geoffroyi timorlaoensis Buru Racquet-tail Prioniturus mada M Black-lored Parrot Tanygnathus gramineus M Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus megalorynchos affinis Tanygnathus m. megalorynchos Tanygnathus megalorynchos subaffinis Moluccan King Parrot Alisterus amboinensis buruensis Alisterus amboinensis amboinensis Moluccan Hanging Parrot Loriculus amabilis M PITTIDAE: Pittas Sahul (Red-bellied) Pitta Erythropitta erythrogaster rubrinucha Erythropitta erythrogaster piroensis heard only Erythropitta erythrogaster macklotii Erythropitta erythrogaster rufiventris Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans vigorsii Pitta elegans elegans heard only MELIPHAGIDAE: Honeyeaters Olive Honeyeater Lichmera argentauris Buru Honeyeater Lichmera deningeri M Seram Honeyeater Lichmera monticola M Banda Honeyeater Lichmera squamata M Banda Myzomela Myzomela boiei annabellae M Drab Honeyeater Myzomela blasii M

Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura rubrotincta Myzomela obscura mortyana Buru Myzomela Myzomela wakoloensis M Seram Myzomela Myzomela elisabethae M Bacan Myzomela Myzomela batjanensis ssp nov. M Seram Friarbird Philemon subcorniculatus M Buru Friarbird Philemon moluccensis M Tanimbar Friarbird Philemon plumigenis M Morotai (Dusky) Friarbird Philemon fuscicapillus M PARDALOTIDAE: Pardalotes and Gerygones Banda Sea Gerygone Gerygone dorsalis dorsalis Gerygone dorsalis keyensis heard only ORIOLIDAE: Old World Orioles Seram Oriole Oriolus forsteni M Tanimbar Oriole Oriolus [bouroensis] decipiens M Buru Oriole Oriolus bouroensis M Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti cucullatus PACHYCEPHALIDAE: Whistlers Island Whistler Pachycephala phaionotus Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex rufipennis Moluccan Whistler Pachycephala m. macrorhyncha Pachycephala macrorhyncha buruensis Pachycephala macrorhyncha obiensis heard only Pachycephala macrorhyncha fuscoflava Wallacean Whistler Pachycephala arctitorquis arctitorquis Drab Whistler Pachycephala griseonota examinata M Pachycephala griseonota griseonota Obi Whistler Pachycephala johni M ARTAMIDAE: Woodswallows and Allies White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus leucopygialis Artamus leucorynchus musschenbroeki CAMPEPHAGIDAE: Cuckooshrikes, Trillers and Minivets Wallacean Cuckooshrike Coracina personata pollens Coracina personata unimodus Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae melanops Buru Cuckooshrike Coracina fortis M Moluccan Cuckooshrike Coracina atriceps atriceps M White-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina papuensis papuensis Kai Cicadabird Lalage dispar M Wallacean Cicadabird Lalage amboinensis obiensis M Lalage amboinensis grayi Pale Cicadabird Lalage ceramensis ceramensis M Varied Triller Lalage leucomela keyensis Tanimbar Triller Lalage [atrovirens] moesta M Rufous-bellied Triller Lalage aurea M RHIPIDURIDAE: Fantails Willie Fantail Rhipidura leucophrys melaleuca Buru Fantail Rhipidura bouruensis M Seram Fantail Rhipidura cinerea M Obi Fantail Rhipidura obiensis M Kai Fantail Rhipidura assimilis M Streak-breasted Fantail Rhipidura dedemi M Tawny-backed Fantail Rhipidura superflua M Supertramp Fantail Rhipidura semicollaris henrici Rhipidura semicollaris hamadryas

Charming (Long-tailed) Fantail Rhipidura opistherythra M Cinnamon-tailed Fantail Rhipidura fuscorufa M DICRURIDAE: Drongos Buru Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus buruensis M Seram Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus amboinensis M Morotai Spangled Drongo Dicrurus morotensis M Bacan Spangled Drongo Dicrurus sp. nov. M Obi Spangled Drongo Dicrurus guillemardi M Kai Spangled Drongo Dicrurus densus megalornis M Tanimbar Spangled Drongo Dicrurus [densus] kuehni M PARADISAEIDAE: Birds-of-paradise Obi Paradise-crow Lycocorax obiensis M Halmahera Paradise-crow Lycocorax pyrrhopterus morotensis M Lycocorax pyrrhopterus pyrrhopterus MONARCHIDAE: Monarchs Island Monarch Monarcha cinerascens cinerascens Moluccan Monarch Myiagra galeata buruensis M Myiagra galeata goramensis M Myiagra galeata galeata M Shining Monarch Myiagra alecto alecto Myiagra alecto longirostris Broad-billed Monarch Myiagra ruficollis fulviventris White-naped Monarch Carterornis pileatus buruensis M Tanimbar (Loetoe) Monarch Carterornis castus M Boano Monarch Symposiachrus boanensis M Kai Monarch Symposiachrus leucurus M Buru Monarch Symposiachrus loricatus M Wallacean (Spectacled) Monarch Symposiachrus trivirgatus nigrimentum M Symposiachrus trivirgatus diadematus Symposiachrus trivirgatus bimaculatus Banda Sea (Black-bibbed) Monarch Symposiachrus mundus M PETROICIDAE: Flyrobins Tanimbar Flyrobin Microeca hemixantha M CORVIDAE: Crows Seram (Slender-billed) Crow Corvus [enca] violaceus M Long-billed Crow Corvus validus M Torresian Crow Corvus orru orru HIRUNDINIDAE: Swallows and Martins Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans nigricans PYCNONOTIDAE: Bulbuls Sooty-headed Bulbul Pyncnonotus aurigaster I Seram Golden Bulbul Hypsipetes affinis affinis M Hypsipetes affinis flavicaudus Buru Golden Bulbul Hypsipetes mysticalis M Obi Golden Bulbul Hypsipetes lucasi M Halmahera Golden Bulbul Hypsipetes chloris M ZOSTEROPIDAE: White-eyes and Allies Bicoloured Heleia Heleia stalkeri M Binaia (Grey-hooded) Heleia Heleia pinaiae M Mountain White-eye Zosterops montanus obstinatus Kai Besar White-eye Zosterops grayi M

Kai Kecil White-eye Zosterops uropygialis M Seram White-eye Zosterops stalkeri M Buru White-eye Zosterops buruensis M Ambon White-eye Zosterops kuehni M Bacan White-eye Zosterops atriceps M Morotai White-eye Zosterops [atriceps] dehaani M Obi White-eye Zosterops sp. nov. M Ashy-bellied White-eye Zosterops citrinella albiventris PHYLLOSCOPIDAE: Leaf Warblers Kamchatka Leaf Warbler Seicercus examinandus Buru Leaf Warbler Seicercus [poliocephalus] everetti M Seram Leaf Warbler Seicercus [poliocephalus] ceramensis M Kai Leaf Warbler Seicercus [poliocephalus] avicola M CETTIDAE: Bush Warblers Mountain Leaftoiler Pyllergates cuculatus dumasi Tanimbar Bush Warbler Horornis carolinae M LOCUSTELLIDAE: Grasshopper Warblers Buru Grasshopper Warbler Locustella [castaneus] disturbans M Seram Grasshopper Warbler Locustella [castaneus] muscula M Gray's Grasshopper Warbler Locustella fasciolata heard only Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis [ssp.known] CISTICOLIDAE: Cisticolas and Tailorbirds Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis lineocapilla STURNIDAE: Starlings and Mynas Moluccan Starling Aplonis mysolensis mysolensis Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica metallica Aplonis metallica circumscripta Tanimbar Starling Aplonis crassa M Long-crested Myna Basilornis corythaix M TURDIDAE: Thrushes Buru Thrush Geokichla [dumasi] dumasi M Slaty-backed Thrush Geokichla schistacea M Fawn-breasted Thrush Zoothera machiki M MUSCICAPIDAE: Chats and Flycatchers Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta Buru Warbling-Flycatcher Eumyias addita M Turquiose Warbling-Flycatcher Eumyias panayensis harterti Eumyias panayensis obiensis Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra negroides Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher Ficedula buruensis ceramensis M Tanimbar Flycatcher Ficedula [dumetoria] riedeli M Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni DICAEIDAE: Flowerpeckers Seram Flowerpecker Dicaeum vulneratum M Buru Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrothorax M Halmahera Flowerpecker Dicaeum schistaceiceps M Salvadori's Flowerpecker Dicaeum keiense keiense M Dicaeum keiense fulgidum NECTARINIIDAE: Sunbirds Black Sunbird Nectarinia aspasia proserpina Nectarinia aspasia aspasioides Nectarinia aspasia chlorolaema

Nectarinia aspasia auriceps Sahul Sunbird Cinnyris clementiae buruensis Cinnyris clementiae clementiae Cinnyris clementiae keiensis Cinnyris clementiae frenatus PASSERINAE: Sparrows Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ESTRILDINAE: Estrildine Finches Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca molucca M Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricipilla brunneiceps I Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata blasii Five-colored Munia Lonchura quinticolor Tricoloured Parrotfinch Erythura tricolor MOTACILLIDAE: Wagtails and Pipits Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Madanga Pipit Anthus ruficollis M MAMMALS Rothschild's Cuscus Phalanger rothschildi Moluccan Flying Fox Pterpus chrysoproctus Black-bearded Flying Fox Pteropus melanopogon Kai Flying Fox Pteropus keyensis Indo-Pacific Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops aduncus Spinner Dolphin Stenella longirostris rufiventris Short-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala macrorhynchus 280 species recorded including 113 Moluccan endemics and 13 heard only

Tanimbar Cockatoo, Tanimbar © Tony Sawbridge

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